Cowboy Church #189

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Thank You God. This is the A-side of a 1956 Little Golden Record. The B-side was Let There Be Peace on Earth.

This is followed by Roy Clark with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Despite being Joseph Medlicott Scriven's most famous composition, when he made a collection of his writings entitled Hymns and Other Verses it did not appear. It has been assumed that the reason for this is that he probably wrote it for his mother when she was sick and not for the public. It is believed that it is through his mother that the hymn reached the public. It first appeared in 1865's Social Hymns, Original and Selected credited as anonymous.

Next comes The Carter Family's 1938 recording of Walking in the King's Highway. 

This followed by The Sons of the San Joaquin with their cover of The Sons of the Pioneers song, Read the Bible. This song was written by Tim Spencer, one of the Pioneer's founding members. The Sons of San Joaquin' version comes from their 1997 gospel album, Gospel Trails. 

Up next is Lorretta Lynn with Gethsemane. This song comes from her 1970 gospel album, The Gospel Spirit. This song speaks about how perfectly Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled the words the prophets had written long before it came to be. 

Afterwards is Marty Robbins with There's Power in the Blood. No matter how much we may love something this world has to offer us, none of it can ever compare to the power in Jesus' blood. For nothing else has the power to give us salvation or peace in times when we feel peace is impossible.

Today's musical selection ends with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of What You Gonna Say To Peter. I don't know about you but it always amazes me knowing that one day, when I go to heaven, I am going to see so many of the men and women I have read about in the Bible. It is a humbling and wonderful thought. Of course, nothing though will compare to seeing my lord and savior Jesus Christ. This song was written by the Pioneers' own Bob Nolan, who also sings lead on this song.  

Today's movie trailer is for the wonderful Howard Hawks western, Red River (1948), starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift. As film lovers know, Howard Hawks and John Wayne were a match made in heaven and the films they made together show the talents of both men to perfect advantage. They made five movies together were Red River (1948), Rio Bravo (1959), Hatari (1962), El Dorado (1966) and Rio Lobo (1970). Though John Ford is the director most often associated with John Wayne, Howard Hawks is often the second most thought of director for John Wayne movies. 

If you have trouble reading the pages below click on them and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

Motion Picture Herald, 1948

Now for sermon from S.M. Lockridge.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6–7

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. Deuteronomy 20:4

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Psalms 119:28

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:6

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus

 

 

Cowboy Church #187

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with Jesus Loves the Little Children. This comes from a 1955 Little Golden Record that also included them singing The Good Lord is Going to Take Care of You.   This song was written by C. Herbert Woolston and is said to have been inspired by Matthew 19:14 ( “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”) The song is to the tune of the 1864 Civil War song, Tramp Tramp Tramp (written by George Fredrick Root). Roy and Dale only sing the refrain of this song as that is all that was commonly used in Sunday schools.

This is followed by Merle Haggard with Victory in Jesus. Though there are many times when we feel defeated, it is important to know that as Christians we have victory in Jesus. He is our savior and no matter what happens to us on Earth, one day we will find ourselves in heaven, where there will be blessings beyond anything we have ever known or could ever imagine. By dying on the cross, Jesus has won the fight against sin and as we know by the book of Revelations, one day he is coming back to Earth to put Satan in chains. Merle is joined on this song by his good friend, Albert E. Brumley Jr.

Next comes Kris Kristofferson and Larry Gatlin with Help Me. In 1971 Connie Smith had invited Kris Kristofferson to the Evangel Temple. Jimmie Snow (the pastor of the church) had asked Larry Gatlin, who was a member of this church and currently worker as a janitor, to come up and sing a song he wrote. That song was Help Me and it had a major effect on Kris. Kris would later say, "It was what I guess you call a religious experience. I've never had one before or since. To this day I don't know why I did it. I think Jimmy sensed I didn't know what I was doing because he asked me if I was ready to be saved and I told him I didn't know. He put his hand on my shoulder and asked me to get down on my knees. There were a number of us kneeling and I don't remember what he was saying. It was something about freedom from guilt. All I can remember is that I broke into tears. I was weeping and when it was over I felt like I had been purged. I was carrying a lot of guilt at that time. I felt I had disappointed my family, my friends, my ancestors and everybody that knew me. So I wrote that song [Why Me Lord]." Because of the effect this song had on Kris, Kris recorded the song as a duet with Larry Gatlin on his 1972 album, Jesus Was a Capricorn. Kris later talked about this saying, "I did it because I loved the song and was so grateful for the effect it had on me. To further demonstrate my gratitude, I put it on the B-side of my single Why Me instead of one of my own, giving Larry mechanical royalties on the biggest single I ever had. Payback!"

This followed by Rex Allen with his recording of Sleep Little Moses. This song comes from his 1959 album, Mister Cowboy. As well as my fellow country music fans, my fellow movie buffs might also know Rex Allen. Like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, Rex had starred in some singing cowboy B westerns in the 1950's. However today his movie career might be best remembered by Disney buffs for narrating such Disney films as The Legend of Lobo (1962), The Incredible Journey (1963) and Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar (1967). He also narrated the Hanna-Barbera feature film, Charolette's Web (1973). 

Personal Jesus is an example of how a song can take on a meaning to a listener that the author did not intend. Johnny Cash said that this was a song he wished that he had wrote. He felt it summarized perfectly man's relationship with God. That Jesus is always willing to forgive and have a relationship with anyone who desires to know him. Yet this when Martin Gore had originally wrote this song, he did not intend it to be actually about the Christian faith. He wrote it after having read Pricillia Presley's book Elvis and Me. Gore would state, "It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships." 

Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms. This hymn began with a man named Anthony Showalter. As a fan of gospel music and an elder in a Presbyterian church, he held many "singing schools" at various churches in the south. One day he received two letters from former students who were struggling after their wives had passed. To respond to these letters, Showalter consulted scripture. He came across Deuteronomy 33:27, "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." After reading this verse lyrics for a song chorus went through his head and he wrote down, "“Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” After using this in the letters to his former students he sent this chorus to his friend hymnist, Elisha Hoffman. In the letter he also wrote, “Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27, but I can’t come up with the verses.” Hoffman then wrote the rest of the lyrics to which Showalter put to music. The hymn was published in 1887.

Today's musical selection ends with The Charlie Daniels Band with Awesome God.

Today's movie trailer is The Far Country (1954). This was the fourth of the great series of western films that director Anothony Mann and actor James Stewart made together. Despite having made so many Westerns together though the biggest hit the two collaborated on was the musical biopic, The Glenn Miller Story (1954). The three westerns the two made before this film were Winchester '73 (1950), Bend of the River (1952) and The Naked Spur (1953). The two made one more western together, The Man from Laramie (1955). They were set to make Night Passage (1957) together, but Mann was replaced as the director. 

If you have trouble reading the contempary review of The Far Country click on the page below and use your touch screen to zoom in. 

Motion Picture Daily, 1955

Now for a sermon by S.M. Lockridge.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:8

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25

 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Proverbs 3:13

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 26:12

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Thanks for joining me. There will be no Cowboy Church post for the next two weeks, because I will be on a trip to Israel with my church. However when I get back, these weekly posts will soon continue. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-leaning-on-the-everlasting-arms

Cowboy Church #183

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording with Rounded Up in Glory.

This is followed by Loretta Lynn with He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.  It is unknown who exactly wrote this song because it had been passed down through oral tradition long before it was ever published. However we do know that it was first published in 1927 in a Hymnal titled  Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New. In 1933 Frank Warner, a folk art collector and singer, heard Sue Thomas sing this in North Carolina. Frank Warner then preformed and introduced this song throughout the U.S.A. In 1941 Robert Sonkin recorded a version of this wonderful hymn. This version of the song comes from Lorretta's 1968 album, The Gospel Spirit. 

Now for Randy Travis with Open the Eyes of My Heart. 

Next is Guy Penrod with Nothing But the Blood of Jesus. This hymn was written by Robert Lowry who wrote more than 500 hymns. About his hymn writing Lowry stated “Music, with me has been a side issue… I would rather preach a gospel sermon to an appreciative audience than write a hymn. I have always looked upon myself as a preacher and felt a sort of depreciation when I began to be known more as a composer.” 

Afterwards is Kris Kristofferson with They Killed Him. This song (written by Kris) pays tribute to three heroes of Kris. Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr. and our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is a shame that in this world, people who preach a message of love can often get killed for doing it. As Christians though love for others should be a major priority. After all God us love and it is through love that we can best see him.  Despite Kris writing this song he was not the first to record it. Kris would record the song in 1986, but Johnny Cash had already recorded it in 1984. In 1986 Bob Dylan also recorded the song for his Knocked Out Loaded album. 

Next Gene Autry sings the cowboy gospel classic The Last Roundup in a clip from the movie, The Last Round Up (1947). This isn't the first time he recorded this song. He made a studio recording of it on October 9, 1933. Though the song had previously appeared in Ziegfield Follies of 1933, it was Gene's recording that made this a cowboy music standard. He would also sing it again in the movie The Singing Hill (1941). With how popular this song was for Gene, it is no surprise that it would become the title tune for one of his movies. This song was written by Tin Pan Alley songwriter Billy Hill. Billy Hill had also written the cowboy music standard, Empty Saddles which was recorded by such great artists as Bing Crosby, Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Rogers, Dean Martin, Sons of the San Joaquin and even Gene himself. 

Now for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing, It is No Secret. This song was written by cowboy singer and actor Stuart Hamblen. Before turning to God, this man's life could hardly be considered Godly. He often drank and fought and this often landed him in jail. When in 1949 Hamblin went to a Billy Graham crusade, he turned his life over to God. The drinking and fighting were put behind him and his whole life changing. One day he was talking about this change to his good friend John Wayne (yes that John Wayne) and that it was no secret what God had done for him. John Wayne said, that he should write a song with those lyrics.  Stuart Hamblen had also had a brief movie career and appeared in the Roy Rogers movie, The Arizona Kid (1939).

Today's musical selection ends with Alan Jackson singing Standing on the Promises of God. This hymn was written by Russell Carter in 1886. Working as a sheep herder he developed a heart condition. This led him to pray much more often, and he began to get closer to God every day. When he was healed, he vowed to "stand on the promises of God" and wrote this song. 

Today's movie trailer is for the wonderful Howard Hawks western, Rio Bravo (1959). This film has a fantastic cast including John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Ward Bond and Walter Brennen and has rightful gone down in film history as a truly great western. For cowboy music fans, this movie features the wonderful song, My Riffle, My Pony and Me which is sung as a duet between Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson. This film has become a favorite of many great filmmakers with Quention Tarantino even once stating that if his date didn't like this movie there will be no relationship. 

The following is a 1959 article from American Cinematographer, talking about the cinematography for Rio Bravo. If you have any trouble reading it click on the pages and use your touch screen to zoom in.  

Next is a short message from the Rev. Billy Graham.

Better to be a poor person who has integrity than to be rich and double-dealing. Proverbs 28:6

Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2

Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed. Proverbs 28:27

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

Public Cowboy no. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry by Holly George-Warren

https://dianaleaghmatthews.com/nothing-but-the-blood/#.Yucz4mPMK3A

https://mediahistoryproject.org/

 

Cowboy Church #178

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans with The Lord is Gonna Take Good Care of You. This recording is the B-side of a 1955 Little Golden Record made by Roy and Dale (the A-side was Jesus Loves the Little Children). 

Next comes Randy Travis with a song that has become a staple at many Christian churches today, Here I am to Worship. The song was written by Tim Hughes, a worship leader in Britian. As well as being a worship leader and an ordained minister, he has also released six worship albums, the first of which was titled, Here I am to Worship and introduced this great song.  

This is followed by Lynn Anderson singing Put Your Hand in the Hand. This song was written by Gene MacMellan. Music fans would have first heard this song when Anne Murray recorded it for her 1970 album, Honey, Wheat and Laughter (MacMellan had also written Murray's signature song, Snowbird). Yet it became a major hit when the rock band Ocean recorded it in 1971. Ocean was not a Christian band and felt no strong connection with the message of this song. Because of this they were hesitant to record the song, because people might misunderstand what kind of band they were. They did record the song and many people did view them as gospel band much to their dismay. After this version became a major hit, many other recorded the song including Elvis Presley, Joan Beaz, Johnny Cash, Tennesse Ernie Ford and even Bing Crosby. Lynn Anderson's version is one of my favorite recordings of this song and appeared on her 1971 album, You're My Man. 

Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Power in the Blood. This recording is to me a perfect gospel recording. Gospel means "good news" and therefore it only makes sense for gospel to be a joyous genre and this wonderful recording executes joy at every turn. When I am down this version of this classic hymns always picks me up. I may use this quite a bit on these Cowboy Church posts, but there is completely a reason for that.

Then comes Barbera Mandrell with I Love to Tell the Story. When recovering from a sickness, Arabella Katherine Hankey wrote a poem about the life of Christ. This poem was broken into two parts the first being called The Story Wanted (published in January, 1866) and the second called The Story Told (published in November, 1866). I Love to Tell the Story comes from this second part. In 1869 William G. Fisher put this text to music and that is the version we know today. Still it is worth noting that Hankey wrote her own music for these words, but her music was seldom used and is now forgotten. 

Afterwards comes The Gatlin Brothers with It is Well With My Soul. Though this is a hymn of hope and peace it was written in a time of great sadness. The song was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. He had planned a European trip for himself, his wife and four daughters, however because of his work he was unable to go, and he let his family go without him and after he finished his work, he would meet them there. However, the ship was hit and quickly sank. Though his wife was saved all four of his daughters had gone down with the ship. Amazingly he wrote this hymn when approaching an area near where his daughters had sunk.

We continue with The Statler Brothers with Less of Me. This song comes from their 1969 gospel album, Oh Happy Day and was written by none other than Glen Campbell.  

Today's musical selection ends with The Carter Family with their 1937 recording of Hold Fast to the Right. 

Today's movie trailer is a classic John Ford directed film starring John Wayne and Henry Fonda, Fort Apache (1948). This movie also features a more grown-up Shirley Temple. I am different from many people as these more grown-up movies were my introduction to Shirley Temple. This film along with She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) and Rio Grande (1950) made up John Ford's cavalry trilogy. 

Radio Flash, 1948

Next comes the C.S. Lewis essay, Myth Becomes Fact.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand. Isaiah 14:24

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  Colossians 3:23-24

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Cowboy Church #177

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church.

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Thank You God. Something we too often forget to do is to give God that thanks he deserves. It is impossible to overstate just how blessed we are. We have our friends, our family and a breathtakingly beautiful world to live. Too often we take these things for granted and don't reason, just how much God loves us and just how much he has given us.

Hank Williams Jr. has always been very influenced by blues music. Even though he is better known for his country and southern rock songs, blues has always been a strong part of his music. Ever since the 1980's Hank has been talking about making a blues album. Well, he finally has. Earlier this month, Hank released his first full length blues album, Rich White Honkey Blues. This album mostly consists of covers of classic blues songs. Today's musical selection includes a song off this album. It is his cover of Lighting Hopkin's  Jesus, Won't You Come By Here. 

Next Leadbelly sings Let it Shine on Me. In this great version of the hymn, Leadbelly shows how a hymn was sung differently by different churches but the same basic message stayed the same. 

This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of The Old Rugged Cross. The song dates back to 1913 and was written by evangelist, George Bennard. Actually the first verse was written in 1912. It was written while Bennard was a part of a series of revival meetings in Albion, Michigan. He was worried about the complete disregard for the gospel around him and wrote this verse as a repose. Of writing it Bennard said, "I seemed to have a vision ... I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable." The song wouldn't be completed for several months, when he was leading meetings at a local church in Pokagan, Michigan. He played it for Rev. Leroy (the sponsoring pastor) and his wife, Ruby Bostwick, both of whom found themselves moved to tears. It was then incorporated into a service at that church on June 7, 1913. The song has the same effect today as it must have back then. 

Next is Glen Campbell with He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. It is unknown who exactly wrote this song because it had been passed down through oral tradition long before it was ever published. However we do know that it was first published in 1927 in a Hymnal titled  Spirituals Triumphant, Old and New. In 1933 Frank Warner, a folk art collector and singer, heard Sue Thomas sing this in North Carolina. Frank Warner then preformed and introduced this song throughout the U.S.A. In 1941 Robert Sonkin recorded a version of this wonderful hymn. Glen Campbell's version comes from his 1970 gospel album, Oh Happy Day.

Now Randy Travis sings The Heart of Worship.

Now Loretta Lynn sings Softly and Tenderly. The song was written by an Ohio businessman named Will Thompson in 1880.  As well as writing gospel songs Thompson also wrote quite a few secular songs and parotic songs. When the songs he wrote were rejected by publishers he created his own company, Will L. Thompson & Company. This company would not only publish music by sell musical instruments. Softly and Tenderly first appeared in 1880's Sparkling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, a collection of songs from the company. When evangelist Dwight L. Moody was on his death bed he told the songwriter, "Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life." This was appropriate as Will decided to make songwriting his career while at a meeting held by Moody. 

Today's musical selection ends with Gene Autry with his 1946 recording of When its Round Up Time in Heaven. 

Now for the trailer for one my favorites among the John Ford and John Wayne westerns, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949).

And here is John Wayne in a radio version of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.

Showman's Trade Review, 1949

Next is C.S. Lewis' essay, Myth Became Fact.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4

 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Hebrews 11:7

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:52

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Isaiah 26:3

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Thanks for joining me. come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Movie Review: The Jesus Music

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A- 

A truly fantastic documentary about Christian music from the late 1960's until the early 2000's.

What makes this movie work so well is the filmmaker's obvious passion for the subject matter. As you watch the film their love of Christian music shines through in every second. Everything about this movie is extremely heartfelt. This can be seen even in the interviews with the artists. They are laying everything out on the table for you to see in a completely open and honest way. There are even times when you can see them getting emotional onscreen as they talk about some of their experiences. This makes this movie much more personal to its audience than most music documentaries. The interviews also are incredibly informative and will give those who think they knew all about this type of music something they didn't know. This is not to say the entire film is simply people talking. Uses of concert and TV clips, as well as acted out reenactments of some of the musician's childhoods make this film just as must of a visual treat as an auditory one. One fear I had before watching this documentary was the sheer scope of what it was covering combined with a runtime that is less than two hours. Naturally I felt this film couldn't do justice to this whole subject. I was wrong. While this movie doesn't cover everything or every great Christian group, it gives you a strong feel of each era, how the music effected the culture around them, how the music changed and evolved and where the music come from without ever feeling rushed or forced. This was not an easy feat and I am amazed at how well it was carried off. 

This movie also addresses a serious subject that most Christian movies would shy away from. That is prejudice in the church. It does this in a very intelligent and heartfelt way. As a Christian and as someone who believes prejudice, whether it be for someone's skin color, way of expressing themselves or taste in music, should have no place in the life of a Christian, this was a message that I greatly appreciated and was very satisfied at how the filmmakers handled this. The Jesus Music is a sadly rare Christian film that will inspire much discussion after it is watched.

All in all this is a top notch documentary.  

Cowboy Church #134

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Sweet Hour of Prayer on their 1957 album of the same name. This hymn was written by William Walford. Walford was a wood craver who had little to no formal education. However what he did have was a very close relationship with God. Those who knew him said that he knew the bible by heart and this man was even asked to share sermons at his church. One day around  1845 Pastor Thomas Salmon visited William Walford. Walford asked Salmon to write down a poem he had in his head. Salmon was so amazed by this poem that he right away sought to get it published. After Walford's death, William Bradbury wrote music for this poem and the hymn as we know it first appeared in the 1859 hymnal, Church Melodies. Bradbury had also composed music for such hymns as Just as I Am and He Leadeth Me. Next comes a real classic Red Foley's 1951 recording of Peace in the Valley. On September 19, 1968, Red Foley was doing a show in Fort Wayne, Indiana with Billy Walker and Hank Williams Jr. Billy Walker took the time they had together and share his faith in Christ. Red asked Billy, “Do you think God could ever forgive a sinner like me?” Billy told his friend, "Red, if God can forgive me, He can forgive you." The two then prayed together. Red ended that night's set with Peace in the Valley. After his set was over Red said to Billy, "Billy, I’ve never sung that song and feel the way I do tonight.” Later that night Red died in his sleep of respiratory failure. Hank Jr. would write a song about this last day entitled  I Was With Red Foley (The Night He Passed Away). This is followed by Sonny James with Be With Me Lord from his 1966 gospel album, Til the Last Leaf Shall Fall. Johnny Cash once asked Sonny James (when John was first starting out), how to live the life of an entertainer and still be a strong Christian. Sonny responded with "John the way I do it is by being the way I am. I am not just an entertainer who became a Christian. I am a Christian who chose to be an entertainer. I am first a Christian. Remember that what you are and the life you live sings louder than any song. And don't forget to pray." Next we join The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1946 recording of Cowboy Camp Meeting. This song was written by one of the group's founding members Tim Spencer. Next is Billy Cate singing God Must Have Been a Cowboy at Heart from his 2017 album, A Cowboy's Prayer. This is followed by singer, banjo player and first star of the Grand Old Opry, Uncle Dave Macon with his 1927 recording of Shall We Gather at the River. Today's musical selection ends with Johnny Cash and U2 with The Wanderer. This song was written by Bono in 1993 (under the working title The Preacher). The song was inspired by the book of Ecclesiastes, but takes place in a future time with a narrator who is worried about the lack of God in society. It is considered to be one of Bono's best songs, but for some reason whenever he tried to record it himself, it didn't work for him. Then he came up with the brilliant idea of having Johnny Cash sing the song (this idea came to Bono when he learned Johnny was going to be in Dublin). Bono would say that Johnny would teach him a lot about how to deliver a song like this during this recording section giving advice about how to put over each word effectively. Johnny told a reporter, "I don't know if it will ever be released or even what it's called." The song would be released on the U2 album, Zooropa  (one of U2's most experimental albums) and John would state that this song gave him a sense of artistic renewal.

The following is an episode of Gene Autry's Melody Ranch radio show, that aired July 26, 1942. 

Up next is C.S. Lewis reading his essay, Two Ways With the Self.

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Proverbs 11:24

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. Proverbs 14:23

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

 John 3:34

Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Colossians 3:11

Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Exodus 22:21

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. Leviticus 19:33

Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living. Genesis 3:20

 Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers? Malachi 2:10

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19

This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:3-6 

 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers,

    because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children,  because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men,  because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 1 John 2:1-29

Thanks for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

http://www.limerickcitychurch.com/blog/hymn-history-sweet-hour-of-prayer

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-sweet-hour-of-prayer

https://www.countrythangdaily.com/peace-in-the-valley-red-foley/

Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon by Greg Laurie and Marshall Terrill. 

Cowboy Church #133

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Billy Cate singing Every Cowboy Knows There's a God Above. This song comes from his 2017 album, A Cowboy's Prayer. Next comes Johnny Cash with his self-penned My Children Walk in Truth. This song has an important message to all my fellow Christians. One of the most important things in any believer's life should be leading others to Christ or strengthening struggling  Christians. I hope and pray that I have done this with my life and that hopefully through my blog posts, God can speak to those who need to be spoken to. If this can be true than my life has been more than worthwhile. Yet if this happens, I know that it is not me doing it, but God doing it through me. Still just to play a part in God's master plan means everything to me. However it must be remembered that we not only speak to people through our words but our actions as well. Johnny Cash once said, "There's three different kinds of Christian. There's preaching Christians, church-playing Christians, and there's practicing Christians. I'm trying very hard to be a practicing Christian. If you take the words of Jesus literally and apply them to your everyday life, you discover that the greatest fulfillment you'll ever find really does lie in giving. That is why I do things like the prison concerts."  Next comes the Carter Family with their 1935 recording of Gospel Ship. This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1941 recording, What Wonderful Joy. This song has a simple but very true message for each of us. While Christianity does tell us how to live our lives it should not be simply some rigid rules to follow but something that should give us true joy beyond anything the world could ever offer. After all we as Christians are incredibly blessed and one day will be able to spend entirety with God in heaven and there we will know joy beyond anything we can understand right now.  Following is Sonny James with How Great Thou Art. Around 1886 Swedish pastor, Carl Boberg is said to have been caught in a violent thunderstorm. When soon after he saw the sun return and birds singing, he fell to his knees in amazement of God's incredible majesty. He then wrote the words to this song as a poem. Supposedly serval years later he was surprised to hear a congregation singing his poem to an old Swedish folk melody. Its first English translation was in 1925 by E. Gustav Johnson. However this version simply never caught on and has faded into obscurity. In 1927 it received a Russian version by Ivan S. Prokhanoff. This version inspired English missionary Stuart K. Hine, who began writing his own version. When Hine returned back to England in 1939, he brought this song with him and it is this version that we know so well today. The hymn reached a new popularity with Billy Graham's crusades. George Beverly Shea later remembered, "We first sang in the Toronto, Canada, Crusade of 1955. Cliff Barrows and his large volunteer choir assisted in the majestic refrains. Soon after, we used it in the ‘Hour of Decision’ [radio broadcasts] and in American crusades. In the New York meetings of 1957 the choir joined me in singing it ninety-three times!" This version of the song comes Sonny's 1966 gospel album Till The Last Leaf Shall Fall. Up next is Hank Snow with his 1951 recording of the simply titled Pray. Today's musical selection ends with a real classic, Hank Williams singing, I Saw the Light. Hank wrote this song as he was heading home from a dance in Fort Deposit, Alabama. His mother was driving him home and told her son "Hank, wake up, we're nearly home. I just saw the light" (she was referring to the light near Dannelly Field Airport). Hank wrote the song on the rest of the way home. The song melody-wise strongly resembles Albert E. Brumley's He Set Me Free, but I Saw the Light has certainly taken on a life of its own apart from the earlier song, heavily through the powerful and inspiring lyrics that do what Hank did best as a songwriter, convey something powerful and moving in a way that seems so simple and unpretentious. Hank recorded this song on his first MGM recording session (April 21, 1947). However even though he was the first to record this song, his version was not the first released. Producer Fred Rose gave it to two other singers (Clyde Grubbs and Roy Acuff), both of whom had their versions released before Hank.

Up next is a 1945 episode of Roy Rogers' radio show. 

Here is C.S. Lewis' essay, What Are We to Make of Jesus Christ. 

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. Acts 16:30-33

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. Proverbs 3:31

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4:27

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. Proverbs 10:2

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

Thanks for joining me and come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-how-great-thou-art

Liner notes for the Hank Williams boxset, The Complete Mother's Best Recordings

Cowboy Church #132

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1937 recording of Lead Me Gently Home, Father. This is followed by The Charlie Daniels Band with Softly and Tenderly. This hymn was written Will Lamartine Thompson. As well as writing gospel songs Thompson also wrote quite a few secular songs and parotic songs. When the songs he wrote were rejected by publishers he created his own company,  Will L. Thompson & Company. This company would not only publish music by sell musical instruments. Softly and Tenderly first appeared in 1880's Sparkling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, a collection of songs from the company. This version of the song comes from CDB's 2001 gospel album, How Sweet the Sound. Unlike earlier Christian albums from the band, this album featured no original songs, instead relying on traditional gospel numbers. Next comes Kris Kristofferson with Burden of Freedom. This version of the song comes from Kris' 1972 album, Burden of Freedom. He would later make another version for his 2006 album, This Old Road. A year before Kris wrote this song he had responded to an alter call and this song and Why Me Lord were responses to what that spiritual experience, one that Kris himself admitted he didn't fully understand yet. Around this time a resurgence was happening with Christian music. A lot had happened in recent years and as many young people had turned to God, they brought along their own types of music, that meant something to them personally. Therefore much Christian music was no longer hymns but mire contemporary sounding music that payed tribute to God while reflecting the world these young Christians had grown up in. Johnny Cash would often play before these audiences as part of concerts mostly made up of the younger artists. Feeling it would be good for Kris to be in such an environment, John invited Kris and his wife Rita Coolidge to perform as well. Kris would play his own songs like Burden of Freedom or Why Me Lord. Yet Kris felt decidedly uncomfortable at these concerts. He would say about the experience, "I was singing songs, I thought were spiritual but people wanted to hear more songs specifically about Jesus. Eventually I had to tell John that I couldn't do these type of shows anymore I felt like a hypocrite."  Next comes Billy Cate with Christian Cowboy. This is followed by Dwight Yoakam and Ralph Stanley with Miner's Prayer. The music continues with Tennessee Ernie Ford singing I Love to Tell the Story.  When recovering from a sickness, Arabella Katherine Hankey wrote a poem about the life of Christ. This poem was broken into two parts the first being called The Story Wanted (published in January, 1866) and the second called The Story Told (published in November, 1866). I Love to Tell the Story comes from this second part. In 1869 William G. Fisher put this text to music and that is the version we know today. Still it is worth noting that Hankey wrote her own music for these words, but her music was seldom used and is now forgotten. Today's musical selection ends with The Purple Hulls with What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Despite being Joseph Medlicott Scriven's most famous composition,  when he made a collection of his writings entitled  Hymns and Other Verses it did not appear. It has been assumed that the reason for this is that he probably wrote it for his mother when she was sick and not for the public. It is believed that it is through his mother that the hymn reached the public. It first appeared in 1865's Social Hymns, Original and Selected credited as anonymous. 

 

Here is an episode of Roy Rogers' radio show. It guest stars Sara Berner (who did voices for quite a few Looney Tunes cartoons and appeared in live action in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954)). 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 4:16

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. Proverbs 15:8

 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18

The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Let the words of my mouth Meaning either his speech in common conversation, which should not be filthy and foolish, rotten and corrupt; but such as ministers grace to the hearer: or else his address to God, both in prayer and thanksgiving; and the meditation of my heart. Psalm 19:14

Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Thank you for joining me. Come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.

Resources Used

The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-softly-and-tenderly-jesus-is-calling

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-i-love-to-tell-the-story

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus

 

The Trouble With Girls (1969)

The Trouble With Girls is an oddball film in the Elvis cannon. Even though the king of rock and roll is billed above the title and this was advertised as an Elvis movie, Elvis is not the star here, but a part of a larger ensemble cast. While this can make the movie disappointing to Elvis fans, it is a fine film on its own merits.

In 1927 a manager of Chautauqua show struggles to keep his show successful after the head of the children's pageant (Marlyn Mason) gives a young girl (Anissa Jones) the lead, when the manger promised to give it to the mayor's daughter. Things get even tougher for the show when a man winds up dead. Meanwhile the mother (Sheree North) of the girl who was given the part is struggling to get by in a town where she is treated very poorly. She feels that this children's pageant might be a turning part in her family's life but sadly it doesn't seem to be turning out that way.

While there may be a lot going on in this movie, very little of it happens quickly. First and foremost this is a film about its 1927 small town setting and takes its time to make you feel more involved in the time and place. This is very effective and gives the film a nice leisurely and charming feel. This is not always the small town Americana one might except from a movie like this as it isn't afraid to look a the darker side of the town. This not keeps the movie from being overly simplistic but also brings some moments of quite intelligent social commentary.

On the downside, even at only 99 minutes, the film can feel overlong and drags at times. There where simply some scenes that should have been on the cutting room floor. The camera in this movie seems restless. While I appreciate that this movie trying to do something different with its cinematography, the camera seems to be doing whatever it wants. This can become distracting especially during the more serious scenes.

While Elvis is far from the star here, he really gets to shine in his musical numbers. I have always been an unabashed fan of Elvis' gospel music and he gets to perform one of his great renditions of a gospel classic here. The song he gets to perform here is Swing Down Sweet Chariot. He had recorded this song in 1960 and it remains one of my favorite of his recordings. This movie version is just as great. It is high energy, fun, soulful and moving. If anybody asked me why I am an Elvis Presley fan, I can hardly think of a better example of why then his performance of this classic song in this film. Clean Up Your Own Backyard was the single from this movie and there is no wonder why. The song was written by the team of Mac Davis and Billy Strange (the same team that wrote the Elvis hits A Little Less Conversation and Memories).  It has biting social commentary in its lyrics that will always ring just as true as they did in 1969. Elvis sings the song to perfection and the music is undeniably catchy. True for a film that takes place in 1927, this song musically sounds very much of the 1960's, but it is an Elvis movie and most of us fans won't mind.  While this film may not have the greatest reputation, some consider this song to be one of his best movie songs and it is not hard to see why.

This may not be King Creole (1958), Jailhouse Rock (1957) or Flaming Star (1960), but there is still plenty to enjoy.

Note: This film features Nicole Jaffe in the cast and was released the same year Scooby-Doo! first appeared on TV screens. That show provided Jaffee with her most famous role as the voice of Velma.  

-Michael J. Ruhland  

Cowboy Church #130

 Hello my friends and welcome back for another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers singing, What a Friend We Have in Jesus. Despite being Joseph Medlicott Scriven's most famous composition,  when he made a collection of his writings entitled  Hymns and Other Verses it did not appear. It has been assumed that the reason for this is that he probably wrote it for his mother when she was sick and not for the public. It is believed that it is through his mother that the hymn reached the public. It first appeared in 1865's Social Hymns, Original and Selected credited as anonymous. Next comes the Oakridge Boys with In the Sweet By and Bye.  This song came about because of a friendship between composer, Joseph Webster and poet, Dr. Sanford Fillmore Bennett. One day Webster was depressed and Dr. Bennett recognized this. Dr. Bennett asked his friend what was wrong. Webster replied, "Oh nothing. Everything will be alright by and by." This words brought up an idea in Bennett and he wrote down three verses and a chorus to this song as soon as he could. He handed it to his friend saying, “Here is your prescription, Joe.” Webster loved the lyrics and wrote music for them in practically no time at all. Dr. Bennett later said,  “It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends with Webster and myself were singing the hymn.” The hymn was first published in 1868 and went on to great fame since. Next comes Willie Nelson with When the Roll is Called Up Yonder. This hymn was written by James Milton Black in 1893. Black was a Sunday school teacher in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. When a young girl did not appear in Sunday School, he was worried about her. He visited her only to discover she had pneumonia and she was probably not going to live through it. To cheer her up he wanted to find a hymn about a heavenly call but found none. So he decided to write one himself. This version of the song comes from Willie's first and best gospel album, 1976's The Trouble Maker. Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers. With this 1947 recording they ask the deep theological question Will There Be Sage Brush in Heaven. This is followed by Gene Autry singing Cowboy's Heaven in a clip from a 1952 episode (entitled Horse Sense) of his TV show. Johnny Cash worked harder on The Man Comes Around, then any other song he had ever written. It is also one of the most ambitious songs he ever wrote. It is lyrically and musically complex with an intensity that leaves one with being unable to feel neutral about what he/she just heard. This song talks about God's grace and love but also offers a stark warning of what lies ahead for those who reject God. This songs origins first came from a dream of John's where he met the queen of England who told the singer, "Johnny Cash! You like a thorn tree in a whirlwind." He knew he had heard this phrase before and looking through his Bible he found it was from the book of Job. After this he began an extensive study of Bible verses dealing with prophecies and the end times. The result of this study is this song which deals with what will happen when Jesus comes back. Sound engineer David Ferguson would later remember, "We cut it a few times. We cut it first with Marty Stuart and Johnny as a tick-tock sort of thing. Then he worked on it again with Randy Scruggs. It was then edited to make it meter out. The way Johnny laid it out, only he knew where the changes were going to be in the instrumental parts. It was something you had to learn. Rick [producer Rick Ruben] would take a bar out here and a couple bars out there to make the whole thing uniform." The result of all this is one the finest songs John had ever written and a musical masterpiece on every level. Pastor and Johnny Cash Biographer, Greg Laurie wrote about this song, "Personally, I think this is the greatest song that Johnny ever wrote It is both biblical and personal, powerful and poetic. From its first rapid strum of his guitar to the pounding piano chords, it is a picture of complexity and simplicity. The deft production skills of Rick Ruben, who understood that 'less was more' in this case, added to the familiar voice of the American icon Johnny Cash, and the result was a match made in Heaven." Today's musical selection ends with The Charlie Daniels Band with Heart of My Heart. This comes from their 1997 album Steel Witness. This was the band's first Christian album and it was made of entirely original material. Charlie would state that he work harder writing songs for this album than he had any other album, as he wanted to convey the message to people like him who had a hard time understand the bible through much of their lives. 

Book of Jonah 

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”

3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

4 Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.

But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”

7 Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”

9 He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”

10 This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)

11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”

12 “Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”

13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” 15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. 16 At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

17 Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

2 1 From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. 2 He said:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,

    and he answered me.

From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,

    and you listened to my cry.

3 You hurled me into the depths,

    into the very heart of the seas,

    and the currents swirled about me;

all your waves and breakers

    swept over me.

4 I said, ‘I have been banished

    from your sight;

yet I will look again

    toward your holy temple.’

5 The engulfing waters threatened me,[b]

    the deep surrounded me;

    seaweed was wrapped around my head.

6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down;

    the earth beneath barred me in forever.

But you, Lord my God,

    brought my life up from the pit.

7 “When my life was ebbing away,

    I remembered you, Lord,

and my prayer rose to you,

    to your holy temple.

8 “Those who cling to worthless idols

    turn away from God’s love for them.

9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise,

    will sacrifice to you.

What I have vowed I will make good.

    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

10 And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

6 When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:

“By the decree of the king and his nobles:

Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

4 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. 3 Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

4 But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

5 Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant[a] and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”

“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Thank you for joining me come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again. 

Resources Used

The Man Called Cash by Steve Turner

Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon by Greg Laurie with Marshall Terrill

https://hishymnhistory.blogspot.com/2012/11/when-roll-is-called-up-yonder.html

https://www.christianmusicandhymns.com/2019/09/when-roll-is-called-up-yonder-hymn-story.html

https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/history-of-hymns-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus

Never Look at the Empty Seats: A Memoir by Charlie Daniels